Satcom Direct (SD) is introducing Intelsat FlexExec to commercial service as part of its SD Xperience portfolio. The first high-speed, managed, end-to-end broadband service designed specifically for the business aviation sector, FlexExec is now being delivered in partnership with Intelsat and Astronics AeroSat. At service introduction, four aircraft types are utilising the system: a Dassault Falcon 7X and three Gulfstream models; a GIV, G450 and G550. In addition to these customer aircraft, SD has performed global network validation with its Gulfstream GIV, making this the first business aviation connectivity offering to undergo global beta testing prior to commercial service introduction.

“Business aviation now has a dedicated connectivity system that can be tailored for customers to suit specific mission needs,” says SD CEO Jim Jensen. “The flexibility and resilience of the FlexExec system will bring enhanced connectivity to the industry, paired with SD Xperience at a time when synchronising data across all aspects of flight operations to improve efficiency and safety is becoming increasingly important. The service introduction is the next step in the evolution of the digitised aviation industry.”

The new service enables business aviation operators to budget hourly connectivity rates for the first time ever. The PBH plan, only available through the SD Xperience portfolio, provides clients with greater flexibility to plan for maintenance and down time. The hourly rate is inclusive of the full ecosystem of SD services, meaning cabin connectivity, datalink, scheduling, cybersecurity, post-flight reporting and more are all included on a single consolidated monthly invoice. As well as maximising operating budgets, SD Xperience synchronises aircraft with flight operations through its integrated software, hardware and connectivity.

Mark Gardner is a crew chief and client account maintenance manager for Meridian Air Charter, one of the FlexExec in-service evaluation operators: “SD Xperience, combined with the FlexExec service, provides a much-needed, flexible connectivity option that we know delivers a high-performance, global, reliable service,” he comments. “Passengers expect constant connectivity and now we can deliver this while simultaneously enhancing the management of our dynamic operations through the real-time visibility delivered by SD Pro. We're excited to be one of the first to maximise the new service. It is an invaluable and welcome solution to the complexity of fulfilling customer expectations, improving efficiencies and managing operational costs.”

FlexExec is powered by Intelsat's Ku-band satellite fleet using the Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellite (HTS) platform with layers of inbuilt redundancy. Customers are not subject to data speed caps as consistent delivery of up to 10Mbps into the cabin, and 2Mbps out, gives enough bandwidth to support streaming, large file transfers, and video conferencing on multiple wi-fi devices simultaneously. Consistent delivery is augmented by the secure SD network infrastructure consisting of the SD Data Center and global Points of Presence around the world.